Morphy Richards Sear and Stew 6.5L (461013)

The Sear and Stew line is a long-standing UK favourite, and the 6.5L version is the one for larger households. Its non-stick aluminium cooking pot can go straight onto the hob to brown meat and build flavour, then lift back into the base for hours of gentle cooking, sidestepping the classic slow-cooker compromise of pale, unseared meat. Controls are simple dial-operated (Low, High, Warm), so there's no timer or auto keep-warm and you'll need to switch it off yourself. The coated aluminium pot is best hand-washed to protect the finish, but it wipes clean easily. Sensibly priced for its size, it's a strong choice for Sunday-scale roasts, stews and curries with leftovers to freeze.